Welcome to I-SEA

The Institute for Sustainability Education & Action (I-SEA) was created to broaden and deepen the understanding, appreciation, and commitment to sustainability locally throughout the Gulf Islands of British Columbia, as well as internationally.

I-SEA was designed to foster exploration and inspiration, and it is only fitting that we rejuvenate our online presence in a way that illustrates these aspirations.

Since our founding in 2007, I-SEA has catalyzed, incubated, and advanced a wealth of exciting projects within and beyond the Gulf Islands. We hope you enjoy this chance to explore our history and get involved in current and future projects.

We are partnering with the Vancouver Observer to undertake a comprehensive storytelling project about the most awe-inspiring eco-initiatives from across the Province.

We want to hear from you! Were you the brave soul that initiated a composting program for your apartment building? Were you the audacious high school student that transformed an urban lot into an edible garden? Were you the compassion soul that rallied neighbors to plant bee-friendly plants across the community?

On March 22, 2012 Tsawout members, Saltspring Islanders, the Islands Trust, CRD, I-SEA, and the Bridgman family officially dedicated the W​’​EN,NÁ,NE​ ​ (facing Saanich) 13 moon Calendar Sign and the land donated to park lands by private land owners – Bridgman family – situated next to the Tsawout reserve on Saltspring.

​”​The name W̱EN,NÁ,NEĆ describes these special lands which face south to the peninsula. Nature was so rich here that it supported the W̱SÁNEĆ (Saanich) culture year-round for thousands of years. This sign, featuring the W̱SÁNEĆ (Saanich) thirteen moon calendar*, is a joint project of the SȾAUTW̱ (Tsawout [say-out]) First Nation and Salt Spring community. Elders taught us that nature provided for food, medicine, clothing, tools, transport and building materials, beauty, and cultural, guidance. The names are written in both English and SENĆOŦEN [sen-cho-then] – the language of the Saanich people.

The beauty and abundance of this land and its resources are why W̱SÁNEĆ people and the settlers love this place. Clams, crabs, herring spawns and overwintering seabirds in the bays provide staple foods throughout the seasons. Salmon migration corridors and sea mammals are a short paddle away, and creeks provide a year round source of fresh water. The land is rich with plants – from the edible camas flowers on the coastal rocky bluffs to the western red cedar which was used for making canoes, clothing, buildings and other goods. Evidence of ancient village processing grounds for clams and other resources are seen on this stretch of shoreline making this place one of the largest, most complex, culturally-significant sites in the Salish Sea.​” ​